Study: More women divorcing as primary earner patterns shift

Posted on behalf of Michael D'Amico of D'Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC on Sep 06, 2013 in High Asset Divorce

Connecticut residents might find it interesting that the National Center for Marriage and Family Research at Bowling Green State University in Ohio has released the results of a study revealing that an increasing number of U.S. women are divorcing or separating from their spouses. According to the study, in 1920, less than 1 percent of women in the United States were divorced or separated. The tally reaches 15 percent today, and a divorced woman in the United States is less likely to remarry today as well.

Another trend revealed by NCMFR data was that women are now more likely to initiate a divorce divorce. In related research, the National Center for Health Statistics reports that women initiate about two-thirds of all divorce cases in the United States. The Bowling Green study also reports that fewer women are marrying in the first place: The marriage rate dropped by about 60 percent in the United States compared to 1970.

More women are also being ordered to pay alimony or spousal support. As more women become the primary earners in their households, a corresponding increase appears in the number of females with an alimony obligation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 37 percent of American households are now comprised of women who earn more than their spouses.

A Connecticut family law attorney may assist an individual seeking to dissolve his or her marriage. The attorney may assist with preparing the documents necessary to begin divorce proceedings and may strive to work out an equitable settlement agreement between divorcing spouses. Moreover, the attorney may provide representation on behalf of one of the spouses at a divorce-related hearing regarding a contentious issue such as child support or alimony.